Lebanese TV: Syria has received Russian missiles

Syrian President Bashar Assad is quoted by a Lebanese TV as saying the first shipment of Russian air defense missiles has arrived in his country.

The Al-Manar TV, owned by the militant Hezbollah group, is to air an exclusive interview with Assad later Thursday.

The station released Assad's comment on the Russian missiles through its breaking news service to clients on Thursday morning. An official at the station confirmed to the Associated Press that the remark is from the interview.

According to the service, Assad says the long-range S-300 air defense missiles have arrived in Syria.

Israel's defense chief, Moshe Yaalon, said Tuesday that a Russian plan to supply Syria with the weapons is a threat and signaled that Israel is prepared to use force to stop the delivery.